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Isaiah 15:7

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Therefore the abundance they have gotten, and that which they have laid up, shall they carry away to the brook of the willows.

Therefore the abundance {H3502} they have gotten {H6213}, and that which they have laid up {H6486}, shall they carry away {H5375} to the brook {H5158} of the willows {H6155}.

Therefore they carry away their wealth, everything they have put aside, across the Vadi of the Willows.

So they carry their wealth and belongings over the Brook of the Willows.

Therefore the abundance they have gotten, and that which they have laid up, shall they carry away over the brook of the willows.

Commentary

Isaiah 15:7 is a poignant verse within the "burden of Moab," a prophetic oracle detailing the impending judgment and desolation of the ancient nation of Moab. This particular verse describes the forced removal of Moab's accumulated wealth and possessions as a direct consequence of this divine judgment.

Context of Isaiah 15:7

The entire chapter of Isaiah 15 is a lamentation over Moab, depicting a swift and devastating blow that brings its cities to ruin and its people to wailing and flight. The prophet Isaiah foretells a time when Moab's strength and prosperity will crumble. Verse 7 specifically highlights that the material wealth, "the abundance they have gotten, and that which they have laid up," which symbolizes Moab's former stability and success, will not protect them. Instead, it will be carried away as they flee or are plundered.

The phrase "to the brook of the willows" (Hebrew: nachal ha-`aravim) likely refers to a specific geographical feature, possibly the Wadi al-Hasa (also known as the Brook Zered in Numbers 21:12), which formed a natural border between Moab and Edom. This destination implies a path of escape, flight, or even exile, emphasizing the complete disruption of their lives.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Judgment and Accountability: This verse powerfully illustrates God's sovereignty over nations and His willingness to bring judgment upon those who oppose Him or persist in their pride and idolatry, as Moab often did. It underscores the principle that no nation is above divine reckoning.
  • Transience of Material Wealth: The "abundance" and "laid up" possessions of Moab, once a source of security and pride, are shown to be utterly useless in the face of God's wrath. This highlights the ephemeral nature of earthly riches, especially when compared to spiritual realities. Proverbs 11:4 similarly warns that "Riches profit not in the day of wrath."
  • Forced Displacement and Loss: The act of "carrying away" their wealth signifies not a voluntary migration but a desperate flight or plunder. It speaks to the profound loss and disruption that accompanies divine judgment, leading to exile and a stripping away of all perceived security.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "abundance" is yithrah (יִתְרָה), meaning surplus, remainder, or excellence, indicating their prosperity. "Laid up" comes from miqneh (מִקְנֶה), which refers to possessions, property, or livestock, emphasizing their accumulated wealth. The destination, "brook of the willows" (nachal ha-`aravim), points to a wadi or seasonal riverbed often associated with willow trees, signifying a specific, often desolate, geographic marker on their path of flight or exile.

Practical Application

Isaiah 15:7 serves as a timeless reminder that material possessions and worldly security are ultimately temporary. For believers, it reinforces the importance of seeking spiritual treasures over earthly ones (Matthew 6:19-21). It also reminds us that nations, like individuals, are accountable to God and that pride and a rejection of divine principles can lead to severe consequences. The verse encourages a perspective that values eternal security over fleeting worldly abundance, urging us to consider where our true hope and lasting treasures lie.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Jeremiah 48:36 (3 votes)

    Therefore mine heart shall sound for Moab like pipes, and mine heart shall sound like pipes for the men of Kirheres: because the riches [that] he hath gotten are perished.

  • Isaiah 30:6 (2 votes)

    The burden of the beasts of the south: into the land of trouble and anguish, from whence [come] the young and old lion, the viper and fiery flying serpent, they will carry their riches upon the shoulders of young asses, and their treasures upon the bunches of camels, to a people [that] shall not profit [them].

  • Isaiah 5:29 (2 votes)

    Their roaring [shall be] like a lion, they shall roar like young lions: yea, they shall roar, and lay hold of the prey, and shall carry [it] away safe, and none shall deliver [it].

  • Nahum 2:12 (2 votes)

    The lion did tear in pieces enough for his whelps, and strangled for his lionesses, and filled his holes with prey, and his dens with ravin.

  • Nahum 2:13 (2 votes)

    Behold, I [am] against thee, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will burn her chariots in the smoke, and the sword shall devour thy young lions: and I will cut off thy prey from the earth, and the voice of thy messengers shall no more be heard.

  • Isaiah 10:6 (2 votes)

    I will send him against an hypocritical nation, and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge, to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets.

  • Psalms 137:1 (2 votes)

    ¶ By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion.